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O 300934Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1142
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001560 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR INSPECTS TYPHOON RELIEF EFFORTS 
 
REF: A) MANILA 1504 B) Manila 1521 C) Manila 1543 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Joined by key Philippine officials, including the 
heads of the Philippine armed forces and Red Cross, Ambassador 
Kenney viewed typhoon relief operations carried out by the USS 
REAGAN carrier group on Sunday, June 29, in Iloilo, the epicenter of 
devastation caused by Typhoon Frank, which overwhelmed the 
Philippines June 21-22.  Ambassador praised the rescue and 
assistance results of the joint efforts of Philippine and U.S. 
agencies and organizations.  Efforts are now focused on delivering 
essential goods and services to the over three million people 
affected by this typhoon.  As of June 30, the USS REAGAN had 
conducted 244 air sorties to deliver 290,887 pounds of relief cargo. 
 President Arroyo is expected to visit Iloilo on Tuesday, July 1, 
but we do not anticipate that she will visit the USS REAGAN.  End 
Summary. 
 
Ambassador's Visit 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  Ambassador visited Iloilo on Panay Island on June 29 to observe 
relief operations and meet with U.S. and Philippine officials. 
Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano, Red 
Cross Chairman Senator Dick Gordon, the Provincial Governor, and 
Mayor of Iloilo City all had high praise for the generosity of the 
United States and the effectiveness of the operations carried out by 
personnel from the Philippine military and relief organizations, the 
crew of the USS REAGAN and accompanying ships, and U.S. Mission 
personnel.  Ambassador graciously acknowledged their thanks, 
expressed her admiration for the Philippine and U.S. teams' targeted 
actions, and added that the U.S. remains steadfast in supporting our 
friends as they deal with this tragedy. 
 
¶3.  Ambassador and a small delegation, including General Yano, took 
a helicopter to the Northeastern Panay Island community of Carles to 
meet with the mayor, city council members, and a large crowd of 
local residents.  Philippine Red Cross staff briefed the delegation 
regarding damage from the storm.  The delegation distributed 
supplies that a Philippine C-130 and U.S. helicopters had delivered 
earlier that morning.  Ambassador noted that despite the terrible 
challenges, the grateful locals were still smiling.  Press did not 
attend, but the AFP and Embassy are coordinating photos and 
releases. 
 
¶4.  The delegation flew to USS RONALD REAGAN and its carrier group 
for an orientation on their typhoon relief operations.  As of June 
30, the United States has conducted 244 air sorties to deliver 
290,887 pounds of relief cargo.  Ambassador and her party flew back 
to the Iloilo airport, talked with Red Cross personnel and military, 
and departed for Manila on a C-12, accompanied by General Yano. 
 
Critical Water Supply Issues 
---------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Water shortages have been addressed by USAID and a U.S. Navy 
water distribution expert.  They assessed a water main that was 
washed away, leaving 1.6 million residents without water. 
Philippine authorities accepted the temporary solution devised by 
the USN expert, which will restore service in about two weeks. 
Permanent repairs will take four months.  In the meantime, the 
supply ship Niagara Falls arrived at Kalibo, on the Northern end of 
Panay Island, and 168,000 additional bottles of water are being 
distributed by two Super Puma helicopters. 
 
OFDA Supplies Arrive 
-------------------- 
 
¶6. The USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance aircraft loaded 
with tarps, water containers, hygiene kits, and other emergency 
supplies arrived in Iloilo early in the morning of June 30. 
Distribution of these supplies, and of supplies from the Red Cross 
and the Philippine Government is underway, using U.S. and Philippine 
helicopters to reach otherwise unreachable locations. 
 
¶7. An Embassy team of eight, two USAID Office of Foreign Disaster 
Assistance staff, the USS RONALD REAGAN and its carrier group, the 
supply ship Niagara Falls, helicopters, Navy P-3 maritime 
surveillance aircraft continue to operate in the typhoon-affected 
area.  The Philippine Secretary of Defense told the U.S. team that 
the Philippines' future needs include possible airlift support, 
water purification, vaccinations, and assistance in moving more 
food, water, and clothing from Manila and other parts of the 
Philippines to Iloilo. 
 
MANILA 00001560  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶8.  The Navy vessel USNS STOCKHAM remains near the sunken ferry MV 
Princess of the Stars, but the joint rescue mission ceased 
operations when it was revealed that a highly toxic pesticide was 
included in the ferry cargo.  The air assets of the STOCKHAM are 
being used for distribution of supplies to affected areas. 
 
¶9. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to visit 
Iloilo on July 1 to assess damage and review the relief operation. 
 
KENNEY